U.S. Air Force proud partner of PAF, says US air chief

Gen. Norton Schwartz, U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff, visited the Pakistan Air War College at Faisal Air Base in Karachi, Pakistan, yesterday to participate in graduation ceremonies there.

According to US Embassy Spokesman, Upon his arrival at the school, he was greeted by Air Vice Marshal Tubrez Asif, Air War College commandant.

During the visit, Gen. Schwartz congratulated the students on their significant achievement and commended their role in providing steady and able leadership as the future senior leaders of Pakistan’s Air Force.

In remarks to the graduating class, the general emphasized the U.S. commitment to building a strategic partnership with Pakistan based on mutual trust and respect. He also highlighted the enduring cooperation between the U.S. and Pakistan air forces.

“The U.S. Air Force is a proud partner of the Pakistan Air Force and is grateful to have a long-standing relationship with such a professional force,” he said.

Gen. Schwartz was in Pakistan on a multi-day visit at the invitation of the Pakistan Air Force. On Sunday, he participated in the formal ceremonies at Shahbaz Air Base to induct the first three of Pakistan’s 18 new F-16 fighter aircraft. Yesterday, he also paid visits to Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari and Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, Chief of Army Staff.